Atlético dumps ball boy who pranked Ronaldo

A self-confessed "Atleti fan and player from the age of 9", Iván, the ball boy who baited Cristiano Ronaldo and then tossed the ball away to prevent the Portuguese star taking a throw-in, has paid a high price for his act of defiance.

In the days after the event, the youngster, egged on by a number of people who got in touch with him, bragged about his actions on social media. Now, however, he has been hit with the news that he has been pulled from first-team duty.

It is too late to take back what he did, but Iván has at least expressed some remorse since. He has deleted all the messages he wrote in the aftermath of the game and posted an apology in their place: "I apologise for anything I said about the derby match, because that's not the Atlético de Madrid ball boy way. Come on Atleti!"

Though the 'Rojiblancos' have come down like a ton of bricks with their punishment, they are also upset with the abuse that has been aimed at Iván - including several put-downs from the media. They believe that although the scenes were regrettable, the culprit is still just a kid.

That said, Atlético has also expressed its gratitude to Cristiano for taking Iván's actions in such a good spirit.